Caerphilly Castle

The impressive size of this well-preserved castle, the largest in Wales, is completely stunning on first sight. It was the first concentric castle to have been built from scratch in Britain and this design, together with its complex arrangement of water defences, rendered Caerphilly Castle virtually impregnable. Even some 800 years on, Caerphilly Castle is as majestic today as it was when first designed by Gilbert de Clare, the Earl of Gloucester, around 1270.

Not conforming to the traditional idea of building a castle on an elevated piece of land, de Clare positioned Caerphilly Castle low in the valley and used the idea of flooding the surrounding land as a means of defence. Caerphilly Castle, basically of rectangular plan, consists of a series of intimidating defences radiating outwards from the inner ward. There are moats, drawbridges, gatehouses, towers, and curtain walls to overcome before gaining entry to the well-protected living accommodation at the heart of the castle.

The Inner East Gatehouse dominates Caerphilly Castle and is similar to that built by Gilbert de Clare's father, Richard, at Tonbridge Castle in Kent. The East Gatehouse used as residential quarters, and providing independent defence, set a trend continued by King Edward I at Harlech Castle and Beaumaris Castle. On entering the Inner Ward through the East Gatehouse, along the south curtain wall, remnants of pale cream stonework indicate where the Great Hall once stood. Although building of the Great Hall took place over two phases, what survives dates mainly from the 14th century. The North East Tower of the inner curtain wall is now in ruins, and the South East Tower has split vertically at an angle producing a very noticeable lean. From a distance, the tower appears so precariously balanced that you quite expect this massive structure just to slide gracefully into the lake.

The Edwardian style castle was completed approximately ten years after building work commenced, and is a fine example of advanced military architecture with its combination of land and water defences, including an enormous barrage that also acted as a dam to the east of the castle. Each of the towers and gatehouses were constructed as independent forts, well able to defend themselves, and could be shut off to provide separate units should other areas of the castle fall under siege.

With such power and strength still oozing from every part of its structure, Caerphilly Castle remains the proud guardian of the town that has grown up around it - a truly magnificent sight.